Department of Personnel Administration

Drug Testing

DPA administers the following programs:

The State Personnel Board administers the pre-employment drug testing program.

Other Information

For more information contact DPA's Drug Testing Information unit.

Reasonable Suspicion Drug Testing Program

Executive Order D-58-86 directs DPA (in conjunction with SPB) to develop measures designed to achieve a drug-free workplace, including drug testing for employees in sensitive positions. For details, see DPA regulations 599.960-599.966.

U.S. Dept. of Transportation Random Drug Testing Program

Summary: USDOT regulations require that drivers with a commercial driver's license who operate a commercial motor vehicle in the performance of safety-sensitive functions be subject to random drug and alcohol testing. For details, see the USDOT regulations (CFR 49 Part 40 and Part 382).

Departments with employees covered by DOT's random drug testing
  • Air Resources Board
  • California Conservation Corps
  • Department of Consumer Affairs
  • Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
  • Department of Developmental Services
  • Department of Education
  • Employment Development Department
  • Department of Fish and Game
  • Department of Food and Agriculture
  • Department of Forestry
  • Franchise Tax Board
  • Department of General Services
  • California Highway Patrol
  • Department of Mental Health
  • Military Department
  • Department of Motor Vehicles
  • Department of Parks and Recreation
  • Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Department of Water Resources
  • Department of the Youth Authority

U.S. Coast Guard Random Drug Testing Program

U.S. Coast Guard regulations require random drug testing for crewmembers on board vessels acting under the authority of a license, certificate of registry, or merchant mariner's document who have duties that directly affect the safe operation of the vessel. For details, see the U.S. Coast Guard regulations (CFR Title 46 Part 4 and Part 16).

Departments with employees covered by U.S. Coast Guard's random drug testing
  • Department of Parks and Recreation

Bargaining Unit 6 Random Drug Testing Program

New rank and file peace officers hired on/after April 15, 1998

Effective April 15, 1998, all newly hired Bargaining Unit 6 employees who are peace officers and newly reinstated employees with a break in service of more than 12 months, as defined in Section 12.01, are subject to random drug and alcohol testing per the Bargaining Unit 6 contract. For details, see the BU 6 contract.

Excluded and exempt peace officers

All excluded and exempt State employees who are peace officers under Part 2, Title 3, Chapter 4.5, Section 830.2(d) and Section 830.5 of the Penal Code are subject to random drug and alcohol testing. For details, see DPA regulations 599.960-599.966.

Drug Testing Services

DPA contracts with the following companies to provide drug testing services for those departments required to drug test certain employees. Departments must enter into an interagency agreement with DPA prior to using these contractors (sample agreement [88 KB PDF]).

Comprehensive Drug Testing Inc. (CDT)

CDT contracts to test urine and breath samples for drugs and alcohol, using a qualified laboratory and a Medical Review Officer to review test results. CDT also provides training and program materials for State supervisors and their employees subject to testing.

Human Behavior Associates Inc. (HBA)

HBA contracts to provide substance abuse assessment and treatment services for employees who test positive under the U.S. Dept. of Transportation and Coast Guard random drug testing requirements.

Forms Required

Refer to this chart of the forms required for the various types of testing required. You must obtain the actual form from DPA, as the links from the chart are samples only.

Training

DPA contracts for training for managers and supervisors who oversee employees subject to drug testing. Managers and supervisors are required to complete training prior to sending an employee for a reasonable suspicion test under State and federal authorities. To sign up for this online training, contact:

Caltrans also provides fact-to-face training for State departments. Services are provided via an interagency agreement. For more information, contact:

Updated August 6, 2007 at 9:22 AM.

Saving Energy. It's a Way of Life.
Amber Alert logo.